Joel Rogers, a 54-year-old Bridgewater resident, retired from the State Police amidst allegations of involvement in a scheme to fraudulently issue commercial driver’s licenses. Rogers, who earned $175,804 last year, was one of nine civilian State Police employees who received passing grades on their commercial driving tests as part of the scheme. The allegations also led to the retirement and dishonorable discharge of Gary Cederquist, the former leader of the State Police commercial driver’s licensing unit.
The scheme involved the issuance of commercial licenses to individuals who did not pass or even take the required tests, including relatives of active and retired police officers, a Seekonk firefighter, and a driver with connections to a tow company in Canton. The state Registry of Motor Vehicles has since revoked the illegally issued licenses.
Rogers, Cederquist, and four other individuals were arrested and charged with running the scheme. The federal indictment detailed how the troopers involved accepted bribes in exchange for awarding licenses to applicants. The case is part of a series of scandals and controversies involving the State Police since 2017.
The State Police are conducting an internal investigation into the alleged scheme, and any determinations about the state pensions of those involved will be made by the state Retirement Board. While some involved individuals pleaded not guilty, the case sheds light on the need for reforms within the State Police, including increased oversight and modernized record-keeping to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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